U.S. patent application number 10/066890 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-07 for pinch-grip hanger.
Invention is credited to Bokmiller, David.
Application Number | 20030146251 10/066890 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27658759 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030146251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bokmiller, David |
August 7, 2003 |
PINCH-GRIP HANGER
Abstract
A hanger has a pinch-grip including a pair of
vertically-extending components, a biasing spring, and a connector
separate and distinct from the biasing spring. The connector
pivotably secures together the upper ends of the components for
movement, prior to application of the biasing spring to the
components, between a substantially unfolded orientation, wherein
the components lie in a common plane, and a substantially folded
orientation, wherein the components are generally parallel. The
connector is integrally molded with the components and configured
and dimensioned to lie between the upper ends thereof when the
components are in the folded orientation, without substantially
inhibiting movement of the upper or lower ends between the closed
and open positions.
Inventors: |
Bokmiller, David; (Hudson,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Neal L. Rosenberg, Esq.
AMSTER, ROTHSTEIN & EBENSTEIN
90 Park Avenue
New York
NY
10016
US
|
Family ID: |
27658759 |
Appl. No.: |
10/066890 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/485 20130101;
A47G 25/1421 20130101; A47G 25/1435 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/93 |
International
Class: |
A41D 027/22 |
Claims
1. A hanger comprising: (A) an attachment portion for securing said
hanger to a support; and (B) at least one pinch-grip for receiving
an article for hanging, said pinch-grip including: (i) a pair of
vertically-extending components, each said component defining an
upper end and a lower end; (ii) biasing means for biasing said
lower ends together to a closed position and for permitting
separation of said lower ends to an open position by movement of at
least one of said upper ends relative to the other; and (iii) a
connector, separate and distinct from said biasing means, for
pivotably securing together said upper ends of said components for
movement, prior to application of said biasing means to said
components, between a substantially unfolded orientation and a
substantially folded orientation; said connector being flexible,
integrally molded with said components, and configured and
dimensioned to lie between said upper ends of said components when
said components are in said folded orientation.
2. The hanger of claim I wherein said connector does not
substantially inhibit movement of said lower ends between said
closed and open positions.
3. The hanger of claim I wherein said connector does not project
vertically or horizontally substantially beyond said components
when said components are in said folded orientation.
4. The hanger of claim 3 wherein said connector is substantially
hidden from view when said components are in said folded
orientation.
5. The hanger of claim I wherein said connector is molded in a
configuration such that, when said components are in said folded
orientation, said connector is generally concave.
6. The hanger of claim I wherein said connector connects only the
tops of said upper ends of said components.
7. The hanger of claim I wherein said connector is disposed
entirely above said biasing means.
8. The hanger of claim I which comprises a pair of flexible
connectors, each of said flexible connectors being adjacent a
respective lateral side of said components.
9. A hanger comprising: (A) an attachment portion for securing said
hanger to a support; and (B) at least one pinch-grip for receiving
an article for hanging, said pinch-grip including: (i) a pair of
vertically-extending components, each said component defining an
upper end and a lower end; (ii) biasing means for biasing said
lower ends together to a closed position and for permitting
separation of said lower ends to an open position by movement of at
least one of said upper ends relative to the other; and (iii)
flexible connector means, separate and distinct from said biasing
means, for pivotably securing together said upper ends of said
components for movement, prior to application of said biasing means
to said components, between a substantially unfolded orientation,
wherein said components lie in a common plane, and a substantially
folded orientation, wherein said components are generally parallel;
said connector means being integrally molded with said components
and configured and dimensioned to lie between said upper ends of
said components when said components are in said folded
orientation, without substantially inhibiting movement of said
lower ends between said closed and open positions; said connector
means being molded in a configuration such that, when said
components are in said folded orientation, said connector means is
generally concave, is disposed entirely above said biasing means,
and connects only the tops of said upper ends of said components;
and said connector means not projecting vertically or horizontally
substantially beyond said components when said components are in
said folded orientation, whereby said connector means is
substantially hidden from view when said components are in said
folded orientation.
10. The hanger of claim 9 wherein said connector means comprises a
pair of flexible connectors, each of said flexible connectors being
adjacent a respective lateral side of said components.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a pinch-grip hanger, and
more particularly to a pinch-grip hanger adapted for use in
transporting and displaying articles such as garments.
[0002] Pinch-grip hangers are well known. Pinch-grip hangers are
frequently used in retail stores to display garments suspended from
the pinch-grips, such as a pair of pants, a skirt, or the like. A
hanger body includes an attachment portion for securing the hanger
body to a support (for example, a hook for securing the hanger body
to a transversely-extending elevated rod). A pinch-grip is attached
to the hanger body. Optionally, the hanger body also includes a
transverse portion defining a pair of free ends (for example, a
pair of outwardly extending wings for supporting the shoulders of a
jacket), and optionally one pinch-grip is disposed adjacent to each
of the transverse portion free ends.
[0003] Each pinch-grip includes a pair of vertically-extending
components, securing means (which may be part of the biasing means)
for pivotably securing the components together, and means for
biasing the bottom ends of the components together. Typically each
component has an upper end, a lower end and a central or connecting
component portion between the ends. The bottom ends are configured
and dimensioned to cooperatively receive and maintain an article
therebetween under the influence of the biasing means.
[0004] To insert or remove an article from the hanger, the upper
ends of the components are pressed together so that the components
pivot relatively and the lower ends thereof separate. In this
"open" or releasing orientation, the article may be removed from or
secured to the hanger. Finally, when the upper ends of the
components are released, the biasing means causes the components to
pivot relatively and return more-or-less to their original
orientation with the upper ends spaced apart and the lower ends
biased together. In this "closed" or gripping orientation, an
article may be suspended by and between the component bottom ends.
If no article is between them, the component bottom ends may
actually touch and abut, thereby to form an "abutting"
orientation.
[0005] However, such constructions have not proven to be entirely
satisfactory from the point of view of the manufacturer, who must
independently mold at least two separate and distinct plastic
components and then transport them through the manufacturing
process until they are secured together by the biasing or securing
means. To overcome this manufacturing difficulty, various means
have been suggested for providing connector means, separate and
distinct from the securing means and biasing means, for pivotably
connecting together the components prior to application of the
biasing means thereto. Thus plastic connector means are integrally
molded with the plastic components and pivotably secure the
components together for movement between a substantially unfolded
orientation, wherein the components lie in a common plane, and a
substantially folded orientation, wherein the components are
generally parallel). While this arrangement alleviates some of the
aforementioned manufacturing difficulty, the resultant product has
not proven to be entirely satisfactory in use.
[0006] Depending upon the particular design and placement of the
connector means, the connector means may substantially inhibit
movement of the upper or lower ends between the closed and open
orientations, thereby defeating the very purpose of the pinch-grip.
The connector means may project vertically or horizontally
substantially beyond the components when the components are in the
folded orientation. A projecting connector means is aesthetically
disadvantageous because it is not substantially hidden from view
(when the components are in the folded orientation) and, hence, is
visible to the potential customer, and functionally disadvantageous
because garments hung on the hanger (or, even garments hung on
adjacent hangers) may become "caught" on such projections and
possibly tear during the separation process.
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a pinch-grip hanger including a connector means that does
not substantially inhibit movement of the upper or lower ends of
the components between the closed and open orientations.
[0008] Another object is to provide such a hanger wherein, in one
preferred embodiment, the connector means does not project
vertically or horizontally substantially beyond the components when
the components are in the folded orientation.
[0009] A further object is to provide such a hanger wherein, in one
preferred embodiment, the connector means is substantially hidden
from view when the components are in the folded orientation.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a hanger which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, use
and maintain.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] The above and related objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to
the following detailed description of the presently preferred,
albeit illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a pinch-grip hanger
according to the present invention with a top-sizer and side-sizer
exploded therefrom;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view thereof;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational plan view
thereof;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational plan view
thereof;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional plan view thereof taken
along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the components in
an extended, unfolded orientation prior to application of the
biasing means;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the components of FIG.
7; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of six different
configurations of the connector means of the pinch-grip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] It has now been found that the above and related objects of
the present invention are obtained in a hanger comprising an
attachment portion for securing the hanger to a support, and at
least one pinch-grip for receiving an article for hanging. The
pinch-grip includes (i) a pair of vertically-extending components,
each of the components defining an upper end and a lower end, (ii)
biasing means for biasing the lower ends together to a closed
position and for permitting separation of the lower ends to an open
position by movement of at least one of the upper ends relative to
the other, and (iii) connector means separate and distinct from the
biasing means. The connector means pivotably secures together the
upper ends of the components for movement, prior to application of
the biasing means to the components, between a substantially
unfolded orientation, wherein the components lie in a common plane,
and a substantially folded orientation, wherein the components are
generally parallel. The connector means is integrally molded with
the components and configured and dimensioned to lie between the
upper ends of the components when the components are in the folded
orientation.
[0022] The connector means does not substantially inhibit movement
of the upper or lower ends between the closed and open
positions.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the connector means is molded in
a configuration such that, when the components are in the folded
orientation, the connector means is generally concave, is disposed
entirely above the biasing means, and connects only the tops of the
upper ends of the components. The connector means does not project
vertically or horizontally substantially beyond the components when
the components are in the folded orientation, whereby the connector
means is substantially hidden from view when the components are in
the folded orientation.
[0024] Preferably the connector means comprises a pair of flexible
connectors connecting the components, each of the flexible
connectors being adjacent a respective lateral side of the
components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1
thereof, therein illustrated is a secure pinch-grip hanger
according to the present invention, generally designated by the
reference numeral 10. In its conventional aspects, the hanger 10
comprises a hanger body 12 including an attachment portion 14 for
securing the body 12 to a support (not shown) and optionally, as
illustrated, a transverse portion 16 defining a pair of free outer
ends 18. Although the attachment portion 14 is illustrated as a
hook, clearly other means for attaching the hanger body 12 to a
support (such as a transversely-extending elevated rod--not shown)
may be utilized. The hanger body 12 (including both the attachment
portion 14 and the optional transverse portion 16) is conveniently
formed of injection molded plastic.
[0026] The hanger 10 additionally includes at least one pinch-grip,
generally designated 20. Each pinch-grip 20 includes a pair of
substantially rigid, vertically-extending components 22, 24. Each
of the vertically-extending components 22, 24 defines an upper end
26, a lower end 30, and a body portion 32 between the ends 26, 30.
Preferably, one pinch-grip 20 is disposed adjacent each free end 18
of the transverse portion 16 (as illustrated), although
alternatively the hanger 10 may include a single pinch-grip 20
disposed centrally (i.e., intermediate the free ends 18).
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 2-6 in particular, pivot means 40 is
preferably provided for pivotably juxtaposing the components 22, 24
together such that, when the upper ends 26 of the components 22, 24
are brought together as close as possible, the lower ends 30 are
separated from each other as far as possible (the "fully extended
open position"). In use, when the upper ends 26 are moved toward
the fully extended open position, the lower ends 30 thereof
separate to enable insertion or removal of an article or garment
therebetween ("the releasing orientation"). Preferably pivot means
40 pivotably juxtaposes a body portion 32 of one component 22, 24
to a body portion 32 of the other component 24, 22 when the
components are in the folded orientation. The pivot means 40
optionally also secures together the two components 22, 24
(typically at the body portions 32) once the components 22, 24 are
in the folded orientation. Preferably one component 24 is
pivotable, and the other component 22 is stationary relative to the
hanger body 12.
[0028] Biasing means 42 are provided for biasing the bottom ends 30
of the two components 22, 24 together to define the "closed" or
gripping orientation wherein the upper ends 26 of the two
components 22, 24 are spaced apart. In this orientation, the bottom
ends 30 are configured and dimensioned to cooperatively receive and
maintain an article, such as a garment G (shown in phantom line in
FIG. 6) therebetween, thereby to suspend the garment on a rod or
like support. In the absence of any garment between the bottom ends
30 of the two components 22, 24, biasing means 42 biases such
bottom ends 30 together to define the "abutting" orientation
wherein the bottom ends 30 touch. The biasing means 42 is commonly
formed of resilient metal and is applied to the components 22, 24
after they are in the folded orientation.
[0029] The biasing means 42 is preferably separate and distinct
from the pivot means 40, as illustrated; however the two means 40,
42 may be combined into a single element.
[0030] Turning now to the novel aspects of the present invention,
flexible connector means 50 is separate and distinct from both the
biasing means 42 and pivot means 40 and pivotably secures together
the upper ends 26 of the components 22, 24, both prior to
application of the biasing means 42 to the components 22, 24 (see
FIGS. 7 and 8) and thereafter (see FIGS. 1-6). The connector means
50 is a living hinge that enables manual movement of the components
22, 24 between the substantially unfolded orientation, illustrated
in FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein the components lie in a common plane
(e.g., in the mold), and the substantially folded orientation,
illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, wherein the components 22, 24 are
generally parallel (e.g., in the pinch-grip). The connector means
50 is integrally molded with the components 22, 24 and configured
and dimensioned to lie between the upper ends 26 thereof when the
components 22, 24 are in the folded orientation. The connector
means 50 connects only the tops of the upper ends 26 of the two
components 22, 24 when the components 22, 24 are in the folded
orientation, or only the adjacent tips of the components when they
are in the unfolded orientation (e.g., in the mold).
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 9 in particular, the connector means
50 is molded in a configuration such that, when the components 22,
24 are in the folded orientation, the connector means 50 is
generally concave. In the mold itself, the two components 22, 24
are generally disposed in a common plane with the connector means
50 convexly projecting upwardly from that common plane. Although it
is also possible for the connector means 50 to concavely project
downwardly into the mold (below the common plane), this is not the
preferred molding technique. The concavity may extend all the way
out to the ends of the connector means 50, as illustrated in views
b, d, e and f of FIG. 9, or may stop short of the ends thereof, as
illustrated in views a and c of FIG. 9. The concavity of the
concave portion of the connector means 50 may be smooth, as
illustrated in views a, c, and f, V-shaped, as illustrated in view
d, or formed of a plurality of serially connected linear segments,
as illustrated in views b and e. Where the concave portion of the
connector means 50 does not include the very ends thereof, such
ends may extend appreciably but insignificantly above the height of
the upper ends 26 of the components 22, 24, when the components are
in the folded orientation, but typically not sufficiently so as to
be visually noticed or to serve as a catching point for any
clothing on the hanger.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 in particular, except perhaps for
the very ends of the connector means 50 (where the connector means
50 connects with the upper ends 26 of the components 22, 24), the
connector means 50 does not project vertically or horizontally
substantially beyond the components 22, 24, when the components are
in the folded orientation. Thus, in such a folded orientation, the
connector means 50 are substantially hidden from view of the user
and are not available for clothing to "catch" on.
[0033] Preferably the thickness of the connector means 50 is less
than the thickness of the upper ends 26 of the components 22, 24 so
that it can easily fold downwardly towards the biasing means 42
when the upper ends 26 of the components 22, 24 are pressed
together (i.e., when the pinch-grip is placed in the open
orientation). The length of the connector means 50 is preferably
selected so that the bottommost portion thereof does not contact
the biasing means 42, even when the pinch-grip is in the open
orientation.
[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1 in particular, preferably the
hanger according to the present invention is configured and
dimensioned to releasably receive a top-sizer 60, as disclosed, for
example, in Zuckerman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,310 (hereby
incorporated by reference), or a side-sizer 70, as disclosed, for
example, in Zuckerman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,713 (hereby
incorporated by reference), for indicating size or other
information of interest regarding the garment on the hanger. To
enhance the security of the grip of the pinch-grip, protective
projections 80 may be provided to inhibit accidental movement of
the pinch-grip towards the open orientation while permitting
intentional movement of the pinch-grip thereto, as disclosed in
Zuckerman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,933 (hereby incorporated by
reference).
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the connector means 50 comprises
a pair of flexible connectors 52. Each of the flexible connectors
52 is disposed adjacent a respective lateral side of the components
22, 24 to assist in stabilizing the relative spatial positions of
the components 22, 24 in the unfolded orientation and in
facilitating a balanced movement of the components 22, 24 from the
unfolded orientation to the folded orientation.
[0036] To summarize, the present invention provides a pinch-grip
hanger including a connector means that does not substantially
inhibit movement of the upper or lower ends of the components
between the closed and open orientations. Further, the connecting
means does not project vertically or horizontally beyond the
components when the components are in the folded orientation, so
that the connecting means is substantially hidden from view when
the components are in the folded orientation. The hanger is simple
and inexpensive to manufacture, use and maintain.
[0037] Now that the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and
improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled
in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present
invention is to be construed broadly and limited only by the
appended claims, and not by the foregoing specification.
* * * * *